Visit Montevideo, Uruguay as an Alternative to Italy

Get your map ready. Do you even know where Uruguay is located? Find your favorite Internet map and follow along with me. Yes, it's that small, unassuming country way, way down in the southeastern part South America across the mouth of the Rio de la Plata from Buenos Aires. Argentina is Uruguay's neighbor to the west and Brazil stands sentinel to the north. For you geeky types, the coordinates for Montevideo (the capital city) are latitude: 34° 51' 29 S, longitude: 56° 10' 15 W.

Mysteries of history explored. Now that we have the mystery of the location solved, I'll divulge the country's connection to Europe -- specifically to Italy.

Spaniards arrived in Uruguay in the early 1500's, but were met with great resistance by the native population. That, coupled with the fact there was no gold or silver to be had, delayed Spanish settlement for another century or so. It was only when Portugal made overtures within the territory that Spain became a player in a struggle for control of Uruguay. This resulted in Spain's founding of Montevideo in 1726 and colonization of the area to keep Portugal's interests in the area at bay. As with most early colonization, the indigenous Indian population suffered as a result of conquest. Thus was the dawn of the European homogenization of Uruguay.

Fast forward to today. Approximately 88% of Uruguay's current population has European roots; a majority being from Spain and Italy. Italians emigrated to Uruguay in earnest during the 19th century at the height of the country's industrialization which attracted workers and farmers in great numbers. Today, roughly half the population of Uruguay is of Italian descent. Uruguay and Argentina are purported to be second only to Italy with residents claiming Italian lineage.

On the menu - meat and pasta! How good is that? If you want to sample the flavors of Italy without the price tag of Europe, plan a trip to Montevideo! The food is quite Italian - virtually every restaurant serves a variety of pasta dishes, red wine (the Tannats are fabulous) and copious amounts of sizzling meats straight off the wood-fired parrilla. Pizzas abound and Uruguayan ice cream has a delicious resemblance to Italian gelato. And you haven't lived until you've sampled the crazy good pastries, desserts and coffee.

Is that Spanish? Even the language (yes, it is a Spanish-speaking country) sounds Italian. I'm serious. Not being a linguist, I find it difficult to describe. One thing for sure -- it is not the Castilian Spanish you learned in school. It is Spanish with Italian, Portuguese and French thrown in for good measure! The dialect is known as Rioplatense and is quite different from "formal" Spanish. Pronunciation differences, verb conjugation quirks, unique words and phrases abound. It is spoken with a clipped, lyrical intonation that sounds unmistakably Italian.

The look and feel of Europe. The capital's architecture is a charming combination of colonial, Art Nouveau, Art Deco and modern structures. Montevideo boasts charming neighborhoods of tree-lined streets, plazas and parks galore. The Rambla, which winds the full length of the city's coastline (13 miles), is a particularly ideal location for Sunday afternoon people watching. The port market is a purveyor of local history, artisans and foods (and during peak season - gaggles of tourists.) Montevideo is concise and user-friendly -- easy and cheap to explore whether by foot, taxi or bus. The slow pace of the city is an unexpected and welcome bonus!

Fashionistas take heart. Montevideo does not have the high-end shopping districts of major Italian cities - you won't find a Via Condotti or Via della Spiga here. It does, however, boast a number of large, modern malls and more than adequate boutique shopping dotted throughout the city. If you need a fix of D&G or Ferragamo, don't despair. An easy 140 km drive to Punta del Este (the Riviera of South America) is in order to satisfy your need for ultra-hip Euro fashion.

The weather forecast: temperate. However, with Uruguay situated below the equator, take into account the reverse seasons when you book your visit. The summers are generally warm and humid. The winters are damp and brisk thanks to blustery cold fronts sweeping in from the pampas of Argentina. Temperatures seldom reach the freezing mark, but the gusts off the water will prompt the need for a decent coat and a hat. Spring and fall are absolutely gorgeous! You would be well served to keep the months of November and March in mind for a visit.

Vacation prices you can't beat. You can travel from either coast of the U.S. to Montevideo for the same price or less than it costs to fly to Roma. You can also save some pesos by flying into Buenos Aires and hopping on Buquebus for a ferry ride across the mouth of the Rio de la Plata into the port of Montevideo. However, the real savings present themselves upon arrival. Everything (from hotels, to transportation, to food and restaurant meals) is a steal in comparison to any major Italian city.

Bienvenido! Great food, great people, great city -- Montevideo is a delightful alternative to the high prices and chaos of a European vacation. One visit and you'll be hooked. Ciao!